Stand-by SIM on different network and recommendation please

Found 11th JanFound 11th Jan

I have the OP3 dual SIM phone and currently on Three mobile (the rest of the family is also on Three). What I would like is a standby SIM other than Three in case of been stuck in areas which Three does not have coverage so I can still make/receive calls.

I'm looking at PAYG, but have a couple of questions:

* Does the allowance (talk, text and data) have a limited life?

* Recommendation of a good PAYG SIM with good coverage also.

** Just to further extend my intention. My whole family is currently on Three mobile, my concern is if the area we are visiting has no Three signal, then I have a stand-by SIM in case. Thanks for all the replies so far. **

Yes they are time limited, usually 3-6 months if you don't use and/or top up.

Edited by: "dothedealnow" 11th Jan

11th Jan

try a giffgaff SIM, you can keep some credit on the account and as long as you make a chargeable call or text every six months or so then it keeps active. just don't bother with a goodybag!

11th Jan

I use PAYG 3 and Asda PAYG in dual sim.

11th Jan

I've had a Tesco SIM for almost 8 months. Topped up £20 initially and very very occasionally send a text or call. As above, I think most PAYG sims will require you to have some sort of activity in a 6 month period

11th Jan

Can anyone recommend a decent sim with at least 200 SMS per month? Not bothered about calls or data as it's going to replace my house alarm sim card; so I just need something that sends mega cheap SMS messages and doesn't expire credit wise at the end of the month.

*cheapest I could find was Tello, who charge £4pcm for unlimited SMS, 100 mins/100mb.

Edited by: "Scorpion" 11th Jan

Original Poster11th Jan

dothedealnow

Does the OP3 allow a memory card and second SIM at sane time? if yes, I'd … Does the OP3 allow a memory card and second SIM at sane time? if yes, I'd go EE or one of the services that use the EE network. Plenty of links on HUKD as to what best deals are.http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hukd-sim-only-thread-cheapest-sim-only-deals-free-sim-offers-2481975Yes they are time limited, usually 3-6 months if you don't use and/or top up.

Thanks for the reply. I don't have a memory card for the OP3, so the other slot is free for another SIM.

Thanks for the link to the SIM deal, I'll have a thorough browse over that later.

11th Jan

Op3 doesn't allow memory card using one myself Other slot can only be used for simUsing three contract n giffgaff now

11th Jan

I'd recommend O2 Classic Pay As You Go5p/min/text/MB.

As the second slot is probably 2G only, you won't be able to use Tello or any other Three based network.

I'd recommend O2 in the second slot over any EE based network because Three and EE have pretty much identical 3G network coverage as they share each other's masts thanks to MBNL. An O2 or Vodafone based SIM would provide a good backup for the very few areas you can't pick up a signal from an MBNL mast.

And before people start going on that Delight Mobile offer cheaper rates at 3p/2p/1p, remember that Delight will wipe all your credit after a short while, regardless of whether you've used it or not. O2 top up credit lasts forever, as long as you make a chargeable call or send a text at least once every six months.

Edited by: "preecey" 11th Jan

11th Jan

Scorpion

Can anyone recommend a decent sim with at least 200 SMS per month? Not … Can anyone recommend a decent sim with at least 200 SMS per month? Not bothered about calls or data as it's going to replace my house alarm sim card; so I just need something that sends mega cheap SMS messages and doesn't expire credit wise at the end of the month. *cheapest I could find was Tello, who charge £4pcm for unlimited SMS, 100 mins/100mb.

Tello won't work in your alarm system as they use Three, and Three doesn't permit the use of their SIMs in 2G devices.

11th Jan

Scorpion

Can anyone recommend a decent sim with at least 200 SMS per month? Not … Can anyone recommend a decent sim with at least 200 SMS per month? Not bothered about calls or data as it's going to replace my house alarm sim card; so I just need something that sends mega cheap SMS messages and doesn't expire credit wise at the end of the month. *cheapest I could find was Tello, who charge £4pcm for unlimited SMS, 100 mins/100mb.

Remember Three, iD, The People's Operator and Tello won't work in an alarm system

Edited by: "preecey" 11th Jan

11th Jan

This is almost a solution looking for a problem?Would one not usually:-Use a work SIM in slot 2orUse a sim optimized for the country you may be holidaying inorUse a combination of SIMs to provide best value for money?

I don't recall ever being in a situation where having a 2nd SIM in another network would have been anything more than "it's there so I'll use it" rather than a necessity.

each to his/her/combo own though I suppose, if its there why not use it for c£20 a year.

11th Jan

preecey

Tello won't work in your alarm system as they use Three, and Three … Tello won't work in your alarm system as they use Three, and Three doesn't permit the use of their SIMs in 2G devices.

Thanks that's very very helpful !

11th Jan

EE has the best coverage.

11th Jan

Bigfootpete

EE has the best coverage.

Very very true, but the OP is using an MBNL based network already, and as a backup it's best that they use a Vodafone/O2 based network so they have the best of both worlds (MBNL is a mast sharing partnership between Three and EE - basically wherever you get 3G from Three you'll get 3G from EE and vice versa).

Edited by: "preecey" 11th Jan

11th Jan

preecey

Very very true, but the OP is using an MBNL based network already, and as … Very very true, but the OP is using an MBNL based network already, and as a backup it's best that they use a Vodafone/O2 based network so they have the best of both worlds (MBNL is a mast sharing partnership between Three and EE - basically wherever you get 3G from Three you'll get 3G from EE and vice versa).

​Unless OPs Mrs is expecting, he is carrying the UKs nuclear codes, or is dealing illicit substances (joke) its a solution looking for a problem.......

Original Poster11th Jan

preecey

I'd recommend O2 Classic Pay As You Go5p/min/text/MB.As the second slot … I'd recommend O2 Classic Pay As You Go5p/min/text/MB.As the second slot is probably 2G only, you won't be able to use Tello or any other Three based network.I'd recommend O2 in the second slot over any EE based network because Three and EE have pretty much identical 3G network coverage as they share each other's masts thanks to MBNL. An O2 or Vodafone based SIM would provide a good backup for the very few areas you can't pick up a signal from an MBNL mast. And before people start going on that Delight Mobile offer cheaper rates at 3p/2p/1p, remember that Delight will wipe all your credit after a short while, regardless of whether you've used it or not. O2 top up credit lasts forever, as long as you make a chargeable call or send a text at least once every six months.

Thanks preecey, that was a valuable information to have, so I may look into the O2/Vodafone route and do a little reading on this.

11th Jan

dothedealnow

​Unless OPs Mrs is expecting, he is carrying the UKs nuclear codes, or is … ​Unless OPs Mrs is expecting, he is carrying the UKs nuclear codes, or is dealing illicit substances (joke) its a solution looking for a problem.......

I disagree.Say you're on the motorway and your main network loses signal, and you really really need to make a phone call, having a second SIM in your dual SIM phone that's ready to use as a backup on a different network straight away is an absolute godsend.

I've been there a couple of times and it's an absolute joy. I sometimes lost Three signal but often had a couple of bars of TalkTalk (Vodafone) signal so could still make those vital calls.

Edited by: "preecey" 11th Jan

11th Jan

if I'm broken down? I press the SOS button on my car and it calls breakdown for me.

There is nothing so urgent in life that you can't wait a couple of minutes to get a signal....

Solution looking for a problem.

Mist likely scenario is that your phone battery is dead, you forgot your charger so 2nd SIM no use. That's when I'd get my old charged Nokia out if the boot with its EE Sim in.

Original Poster11th Jan

preecey

I disagree.Say you're on the motorway and your main network loses signal, … I disagree.Say you're on the motorway and your main network loses signal, and you really really need to make a phone call, having a second SIM in your dual SIM phone that's ready to use as a backup on a different network straight away is an absolute godsend. I've been there a couple of times and it's an absolute joy. I sometimes lost Three signal but often had a couple of bars of TalkTalk (Vodafone) signal so could still make those vital calls.

That pretty much explains my need for the stand-by SIM. Thanks.

Original Poster11th Jan

@preecey, according to this, it seems that the 2nd slot supports 4G as well. Sorry it's not to correct you, just wanted to find out for myself :).

11th Jan

On the OP3 both slots support 4G and you can allocate what services the phone uses of which SIM.....

Oh and good luck with the pregnancy, nuclear codes or calls from your mum that are so important (joke) when you are in the c2% of the country that three doesn't cover......

11th Jan

dothedealnow

On the OP3 both slots support 4G and you can allocate what services the … On the OP3 both slots support 4G and you can allocate what services the phone uses of which SIM.....Oh and good luck with the pregnancy, nuclear codes or calls from your mum that are so important (joke) when you are in the c2% of the country that three doesn't cover......

There are other reasons for opting for a backup SIM in a dual SIM phone.

Take data for example. If you're on Vodafone or O2, and travel away from a town or city centre (like in the countryside), the likelihood is that you'll only get GPRS data, which is useless. If your main SIM is on either of those networks, an MBNL based SIM in the second slot will very likely be able to provide a reliable 3G connection even in remote locations.

Edited by: "preecey" 11th Jan

Original Poster11th Jan

preecey

There are other reasons for opting for a backup SIM in a dual SIM … There are other reasons for opting for a backup SIM in a dual SIM phone.Take data for example. If you're on Vodafone or O2, and travel away from a town or city centre (like in the countryside), the likelihood is that you'll only get GPRS data, which is useless. If your main SIM is on either of those networks, an MBNL based SIM in the second slot will very likely be able to provide a reliable 3G connection even in remote locations.

Thanks Preecey, marked as best answer :).

Original Poster11th Jan

dothedealnow

On the OP3 both slots support 4G and you can allocate what services the … On the OP3 both slots support 4G and you can allocate what services the phone uses of which SIM.....Oh and good luck with the pregnancy, nuclear codes or calls from your mum that are so important (joke) when you are in the c2% of the country that three doesn't cover......

Thanks for confirming dothedealnow.

My surname is Trump.. so be careful with what you're saying ;). Have a nice day!!

11th Jan

dothedealnow

if I'm broken down? I press the SOS button on my car and it calls … if I'm broken down? I press the SOS button on my car and it calls breakdown for me.

And if you break down somewhere where the SIM your SOS button relies on doesn't have a signal?